Joseph R. Bossetta, a retired Municipal Court judge, dies at age 84

Joseph R. Bossetta, a former state legislator and Orleans Parish prosecutor and a retired Municipal Court judge, died Thursday. He was 84.

A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area, Mr. Bossetta graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1942 at the age of 14 and, with World War II under way, enlisted in the Marine Corps at 15.

As a forward observer assigned to the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific, Mr. Bossetta directed artillery fire on Japanese forces, a task that required him to go beyond U.S. lines to obtain better coordinates for enemy positions.

By war's end, Mr. Bossetta had fought in such major battles as Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As a member of Task Force 31, he participated in the initial U.S. occupation of Japan and the capture of the battleship Nagato, which symbolized the surrender of the Japanese navy.

After the war, Mr. Bossetta attended Loyola University and was admitted to the bar in 1950 after apprenticing with his father, Gaspar Bossetta. He maintained a private law practice for more than 50 years.

He was elected to the state House in 1956 with the support of the Regular Democratic Organization and as a member of the ticket headed by Gov. Earl K. Long. He became a floor leader for Long and helped draft and steer through the House the legislation that created Louisiana State University in New Orleans, now the University of New Orleans, and Southern University at New Orleans.

He resigned from the Legislature in 1958 to become first assistant district attorney in New Orleans under Richard Dowling. He later served as acting district attorney.

In 1963 Gov. Jimmie Davis appointed Mr. Bossetta to a vacant seat at Municipal Court, where he served until retiring in 1986. He also was appointed to sit as a temporary judge at Criminal District Court.

During his time on the bench, Mr. Bossetta instituted rehabilitation programs for offenders addicted to alcohol and drugs and started a clinic for battered women.

Throughout his career, he was known as a staunch "law and order" advocate and an ally of the New Orleans Police Department, donating free legislative and legal counsel to, and serving as a spokesman for, the Fraternal Order of Police.

He also served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1976 to 1982, retiring with the rank of major, and represented the Louisiana Bar Pilots Association.

A Mass will be said today at 1 p.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Graveside services with military honors will follow at St. Joseph's Abbey, 75376 River Road, St. Benedict. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home in Covington is in charge of arrangements.